Netanyahu meets Trump to discuss tariff, Gaza conflict, and Iran tensions | World News
Israeli Prime Miner Benjamin Netanyahu met US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday to talk about new US tariffs on Israeli goods, the ongoing war in Gaza, and tensions with Iran. This was the first in-person meeting Trump held with a foreign leader since announcing the new tariffs last week, according to reports from Associated Press (AP)
Netanyahu, arriving in Washington just days after the tariffs were announced, told reporters, “I’m the first foreign leader to meet President Trump on something so important to Israel’s economy.” He added, “There is a long line of leaders who want to do this It shows the special relationship between our countries.”
Trump imposed a 17% tariff on Israeli exports as part of his “Liberation Day” economic plan, which has affected global markets. Despite Israel being one of America’s closest allies and receiving significant US military aid, Trump insed there would be no exemptions. “We’ve got a serious trade deficit with Israel,” Trump said. “They’ll have to pay like everyone else.”
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The leaders also discussed the collapsed ceasefire in Gaza. The truce, brokered the US, Egypt, and Qatar, ended in March. Since then, Israel has resumed intense military strikes, with Hamas firing rockets in response. Trump told reporters, “We’re going to talk about trade, and we’re going to talk about the obvious subject,” referring to the war.
AP reports that 15 medics and rescue workers were killed Israeli forces in a recent incident that drew international condemnation. Israel’s military chief has now ordered a deeper investigation into the attack.
On Iran, Reuters notes that Trump is pushing for direct talks over Iran’s nuclear programme, while Iran has proposed indirect negotiations. Netanyahu also reportedly discussed Gaza and regional issues with Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and US trade officials ahead of the Oval Office meeting.
A joint press conference originally planned was suddenly cancelled, and instead, a smaller press event was held in the Oval Office — a shift that was not explained publicly.Story continues below this ad
Netanyahu came to Washington straight from Hungary, where he met Prime Miner Viktor Orbán. Orbán recently pulled Hungary out of the International Criminal Court after it issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza, Reuters reported.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron also joined a call with Trump, Egypt, and Jordan to push for a renewed truce and insed that only the Palestinian Authority should govern Gaza after the war ends — rejecting Trump’s idea of US control over the enclave.
(With inputs from agencies)
